European Football Championship - Wolf salute turmoil overshadows Turkish soccer festival
The large Turkish community in Berlin hopes for a football festival, with the surprise team aiming for the biggest success in 16 years - but the Wolfsgruß debate casts a deep shadow over the sport. The unexpected visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the threatened ban for Merih Demiral, and a provocative call from Turkish Ultras heat up the "Nonplusultra-High Risk Game" in the EURO 2024 Quarterfinals on Saturday (21.00 hours/RTL and MagentaTV) between Turkey and the Netherlands even more.
Instead of the phenomenal performance of the Turkish team led by Captain Hakan Calhanoglu or the excitement among the around 200,000 people with Turkish roots living in Berlin, the political debate dominates the public sphere. "This is really very unfortunate," said Board Chairman Safter Cinar from the Turkish Union in Berlin-Brandenburg (TBB) to the German Press Agency. He also criticized Demiral: "What the Young man did was obviously nonsense, and he will surely be punished for it."
Newspaper reports harsh punishment for Demiral
According to "Bild," the defender from the UEFA receives a two-match ban and will miss the game against the Netherlands and a potential semi-final. The Turkish Football Association called this a false report, as documents for defense can still be submitted. An official verdict is expected later in the day.
The 26-year-old Demiral formed the symbol and sign of the "Grey Wolves" with both hands after his second goal in Leipzig, causing much outrage. As "Grey Wolves," the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement" are referred to, which is monitored by the German Constitutional Protection Agency.
Ultras call on fans to show the Wolfsgruß
The Turkish Foreign Ministry alone had already criticized the UEFA investigation against Demiral as unacceptable. Not every person who displays the sign of the Grey Wolves can be labeled as right-wing extremist. Now Turkish football Ultras are urging fans on the platform X to display the Wolfsgruß during the national anthem at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
The eyes will then also be on Erdogan, who has canceled his planned visit to Azerbaijan specifically for the EURO 2024 visit. Reports suggest that this is also a reaction to the debate in Germany, where a ban on the Grey Wolves was demanded. A meeting with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is not planned according to reports from the Chancellery.
Police are armed
The Erdogan visit will change little about the police presence, said Benjamin Jendro, spokesperson for the Police Union Berlin: "We call up everything that can run." The quarterfinals were called an "Nonplusultra-High Risk Game," around 3000 officers could be in action.
At a victory, fans of Vincenzo Montella's team will storm Breitscheidplatz, the Ku'damm, and large streets in Kreuzberg and Neukölln, and celebrate the first semi-final entry in the EM since 2008 with Hupkonzerts and fireworks. In Berlin, the support is "even bigger," said captain Calhanoglu. I can understand many Turkish people in the EM host country very well, "because I was born and raised here."
Turkish home game or Orange party?
Already during the friendly match against Germany in the past November (3:2) at the Olympiastadion, Turkish fans created a home game atmosphere. "Hopefully we win again and make our people and our country happy. That's our biggest dream," said Calhanoglu, who is returning to the team after serving a yellow card suspension.
The Netherlands are also expected to arrive in Berlin with thousands of jubilant fans. Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Co. want to ensure that the Orange party in Germany continues after their dominant performance in the quarter-finals against Romania (3:0). "Such performances are necessary to give us a chance to go further," said coach Ronald Koeman, who was part of the EM title in 1988 in Germany as a player.
- Despite the excitement surrounding Turkey's surprising performance in the Soccer festival, the political debate, particularly the Wolfsgruß controversy, has become a dominant topic.
- With a potential semi-final in sight, the ban threat against Merih Demiral, the defender who symbolized the "Grey Wolves," is causing concern among the Turkish community in Berlin.
- Despite reports of a two-match ban for Demiral, the Turkish Football Association remains hopeful, preparing documents for defense.
- The turmoil surrounding Demiral's Grey Wolves gesture has also stirred up the Turkish ultras, urging fans to display the Wolfsgruß during the national anthem.
- Not only is the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan generating buzz, but it has also sparked discussions about a potential ban on the Grey Wolves.
- As Erdogan's visit approaches, police are preparing for the "Nonplusultra-High Risk Game," with around 3000 officers expected to be in action.
- In case of a victory, Turkish fans plan to celebrate in Breitscheidplatz, Ku'damm, and large streets in Kreuzberg and Neukölln, echoing the excitement that ensued after their win against Germany in November.
- The Dutch team, led by Ronald Koeman, aims to continue their Orange party in Germany, building on their strong performance against Romania in the quarter-finals.
- Hakan Calhanoglu, the Turkish team's captain, looks forward to the EURO 2024 Quarterfinals, emphasizing his connection with Berlin, where he was born and raised.
- The extent of the opposition to the "Grey Wolves" in Germany has even prompted the German government to consider banning the organization, causing tension between Berlin and Ankara.
- As the European Football Championship continues, extreme groups have the potential to incite violence, highlighting the importance of maintaining peace among football fans during this sports spectacle.
